HIS DETRACTORS might accuse him of dropping the ball far too often, but Eamon Gilmore showed his skills at the beautiful game

yesterday.

The Labour leader, along with former Republic manager Brian Kerr, was at the announcement that Ireland is to host the European Street Football Festival 2015.

Dublin, Dundalk, Belfast, Newry and Warrenpoint in Co Down, will all see some unusual matches in August next year.

For the past five years, the festival has taken place in specially selected "post-conflict zones" around the world.

And the success of the Northern Ireland peace process is one of the main reasons the tournament has now come to Ireland.

Labour MEP Emer Costello, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore and former Ireland manager Brian Kerr with SARI footballers Faycal Maache, Laura Kongsuan and Azeez Yusuff at the announcement that Ireland has been chosen to host the European Street Football Festival for 2015. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins

"Dundalk is looking forward to welcoming the 300 participants in August 2015 and holding some street football matches,'' said Paddy Malone of the Festival organising committee.

The organisers say that streetfootballworld embraces almost 100 organisations from more than 60 countries.

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said: "The festival is a major opportunity to showcase the efforts that are being made by young people across the island of Ireland, to develop real and meaningful community relations."